‘Save City Forest’ demands Telangana Government withdraw auction of ‘Kancha Urban Forest’ in Gachibowli

"The auction of this invaluable green space is not merely a loss of trees and wildlife habitat but a significant setback to our collective efforts to protect Hyderabad's environment and biodiversity," the organization said in a press release.

Hyderabad: The Telangana government is facing major backlash from “Save City Forest” over its decision to auction 400 acres of dense Kancha urban forest in Gachibowli. The forest, which has been an integral part of the University of Hyderabad campus since 1974, is said to have been transferred to the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) for mixed development, estimated to generate revenue of ₹28,000 crores, the organization stated.

“The auction of this invaluable green space is not merely a loss of trees and wildlife habitat but a significant setback to our collective efforts to protect Hyderabad’s environment and biodiversity,” the organization said in a press release.

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The group further claimed that the green space has, over the decades, hosted around 734 flowering plants, 10 species of mammals, 15 species of reptiles, and 220 species of birds.

“Besides being home to diverse flora and fauna, the green space also includes Peacock Lake, Buffalo Lake, SR Lake, several ponds, and ancient rock formations. If left undisturbed, these natural features will continue to function as climate regulators, preventing urban flooding, replenishing groundwater, and maintaining biodiversity,” they added.

Using the hashtag #OxygenNotAuction, the organization is appealing to the Telangana government to:

• Officially withdraw the auction
• Stop the felling of trees immediately
• Conduct a thorough Biodiversity Impact Assessment
• Declare 400 acres of Kancha Gachibowli forest as a protected area
• Uphold the public trust doctrine
• Comply with its Fundamental Duty to protect the environment, forests, and wildlife

However,The Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) said there was no room for environmental concerns and also that there was no encroachment of land.

“Unlike the false claims made in certain media reports, the Buffalo and Peacock lakes are not part of the 400-acre land parcel being developed by the TGIIC,” it said, adding that the corporation had prepared a layout duly preserving rock formations, including the Mushroom rock, as green spaces within the layout.